The Fruits of my Labor (215 Explorer Cleanup)

[T Race]

I'll probably start working on the gelcoat this weekend.

Hey Bob,

    Concerning your gelcoat, I am real curious to learn your techniques.  You obviously have in goin' on when it comes to whippin' a boat into shape.  

    Maybe before you get going, if you would please, could you give a detailed "Action Plan" on how you are going to proceed?....
describe the problem and the steps you're going to take to fix it.

    On one of your other posts you said something like "...and I didn't even have to wet sand it..."    How does one know when wet sanding is needed?

    I'm real interested in learning from you... I'll be pickin' up what you're layin' down  

    Thanks, T.

[Unclebob]

I'll probably start working on the gelcoat this weekend.

Hey Bob,

    Concerning your gelcoat, I am real curious to learn your techniques.  You obviously have in goin' on when it comes to whippin' a boat into shape.  

    Maybe before you get going, if you would please, could you give a detailed "Action Plan" on how you are going to proceed?....
describe the problem and the steps you're going to take to fix it.

    On one of your other posts you said something like "...and I didn't even have to wet sand it..."    How does one know when wet sanding is needed?

    I'm real interested in learning from you... I'll be pickin' up what you're layin' down  

    Thanks, T.

I dont have much of a detailed action plan for the gelcoat, really. As far as it needing wetsanded, we'll see. I've never had to wetsand gelcoat before to bring it back, only seen it done, so it will be a learning process for me as well. I've wetsanded paint and primers before, but never gelcoat. I've never needed to, though. In the few boats I've done, I've had good luck 3M Fiberglass Restorer Polish applied mechanically, followed up with regular old wax.

I have my polish and wax, wool/egg-crate pads for my variable, and 330 Grit wetpaper with a wetsanding block. I suppose I'll start with the polish on the worst area and see how it does. If I dont get shine within 15 minutes or so, I'll spend the same time trying a wetsand. Wetsanding is LOT of manual labor, though, so it would have to work at least TWICE as good/fast as the polish before I would consider it. I did pick up a nice little orbital hand sander a while back for my 14' Mitchell project...maybe I'll give it a chance to prove it's worth as well..

The GelCoat on this Aquasport is in worse shape than that Pro-Line was. I doubt it's ever had a polish or wax. I can see very easily where the stickers were removed..

Regardless, I'll try and document my success or failures here. Maybe I should tape off a few 2' sections and try wet sanding versus polish. Hmm.

[T Race]

Thanks, lots of good info to chew on.  Can't wait to see your results. :bounce:

[slvrlng]

The only problem with wetsanding one little spot is if you decide to do the rest you can never get the rest of it to shine as much as that one little spot. Don't ask how I know this!

 
You should try polishing this! I swore to myself I would not touch it again until its ready for the road.




If you want to see the look I am going to try to get close to check out this one. It is the same model I have just one year older. Mine is a 55.

http://www.orvis.com/intro.aspx?subject=9460

[gran398]

Nice Airstream Lew :rendeer:


Guys, for gelcoat refurb...see Fitz's recent posts. Starts soft, ends softer...then high polish...Deluxe.

[RickK]

That 54 would blind everyone on the road  

[Unclebob]

Nice Airstream Lew :rendeer:


Guys, for gelcoat refurb...see Fitz's recent posts. Starts soft, ends softer...then high polish...Deluxe.

Agreed, that is one Purdy Airstream. I've always wanted one...


Gran, what 'recent post' by Fitz? Link?

[Capt. Bob]

Gran, what 'recent post' by Fitz? Link?

I'm guessing this.
viewtopic.php?p=63916#p63916

[wingtime]

Wet sanding will shorten the buffing time for badly oxidized gel coat big time, and you'll get better results.  Starting with 320 grit is WAY too aggressive unless the gel is REALLY bad and has deep scratches.  I'd start with 600 or 800 grit and work your way up to 1000 or even 1200.  The finer the grit you work up to the easier it will buff out to a brilliant shine.

[seabob4]

Wet sanding will shorten the buffing time for badly oxidized gel coat big time, and you'll get better results.  Starting with 320 grit is WAY too aggressive unless the gel is REALLY bad and has deep scratches.  I'd start with 600 or 800 grit and work your way up to 1000 or even 1200.  The finer the grit you work up to the easier it will buff out to a brilliant shine.

Yep.  On gel, 320 is almost like 150 on paint.  Go with what wing says...

Where's Lewis?  He knows his chit about sanding and finishes...

[gran398]

Gran, what 'recent post' by Fitz? Link?

I'm guessing this.
viewtopic.php?p=63916#p63916

Yep, that were her. Missed last night...on "restriction."

[Unclebob]

Havent had a chance to spend any time with the boat. Even though I only work 4 days a week, things just keep getting in the way.  :evil: I did get a chance to get out Friday and pick up steering lines and fluid. (I hope 24' was the right length, Bob.)

Was getting myself psyched to start buffing on Saturday, when I got a call from my fishing buddy. His brother in law needed some cash for a bill so asked if he could buff my boat out. For less than $10/foot, I figured it would be worth letting him give it a shot. I told him it would take a good 10-15 hours of solid work...

The guy doesnt speak English too good, but he's a great guy, and a whizz with anything mechanical. And he works his azz off. So I took it over to him on Saturday to see what he could do.

Here's some before pictures. We'll see how it turns out. Oh yea, take it from me, DONT LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT YOUR SPARE. One thing I never do, until last Friday night. And wouldnt ya know it, had a blowout halfway into my 30 minute trip, with the kids and wife with me. Murphys Law.

[Unclebob]

Got the Aquasport back yesterday. Can you tell my friend has been busy?

Wetsand with 1000, then buffed with 3M Fiiberglass Restorer.

Issa lookie much bettah now. Moe Shiny.      







He even cleaned the deck too.  


I'm gonna follow it up with a bit more final protective wax, then do the steering hoses and replace the rigging tube while I'm at it. Then the boat comes off the trailer and onto blocks for bottom paint, and trailer carpet/refit. Never blocked a boat before, that should be an experience.

Final push for cash to fit the AS with electronics has begun. Filed my taxes and posted a buncha crap on Ebay.

won't be long now...

[gran398]

Got the Aquasport back yesterday. Can you tell my friend has been busy?

Wetsand with 1000, then buffed with 3M Fiiberglass Restorer.

Issa lookie much bettah now. Moe Shiny.      







He even cleaned the deck too.  


I'm gonna follow it up with a bit more final protective wax, then do the steering hoses and replace the rigging tube while I'm at it. Then the boat comes off the trailer and onto blocks for bottom paint, and trailer carpet/refit. Never blocked a boat before, that should be an experience.

Final push for cash to fit the AS with electronics has begun. Filed my taxes and posted a buncha crap on Ebay.

won't be long now...

Smokin' ....she looks better than new  

[wingtime]

Looking good!   I'm working on the same thing with my 245 now.  I didn't have to wet sand the hull but I have been starting to wet sand the cap.  It's amazing the results of bringing dull gel back to life.